Editorial
Dame Julie Walters has revealed that she was diagnosed with bowel cancer 18 months ago.
The actress, who has starred in blockbuster hits such as Mamma Mia and Billy Elliot, told BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire that doctors discovered two primary tumours in her large intestine.
Recalling hearing the news for the first time, Walters said: “I was still thinking, ‘That’s ridiculous, he must have made a mistake’. I couldn’t believe it.”
Find out about Meryl Streep’s net worth in the clip below…
She went on to say that breaking the news to her husband, Grant Roffey, was much more difficult, adding: “I’ll never forget his face. Tears came into his eyes.”
The 69-year-old explained that she had visited the doctors a year before her diagnosis, as she was having indigestion issues and ‘slight discomfort’. Apparently, these symptoms developed into vomiting, stomach pain, and heartburn.
Walters said she was referred to a gastric surgeon, who then performed a CT scan of her bowels and found the abnormality.
Deborah James Explains Why She ‘Called Off Divorce Weeks Before Heartbreaking Cancer Diagnosis’
The star, who was filming The Secret Garden at the time, said she tried her best to remain positive but after everything, her perspective on acting ‘completely changed’.
“The person before the operation is different to this person,” she said.
When asked if she’d do any more acting, Walters answered: “It would have to be something I’m really engaged with [to take another role on].
“I’m not saying I’ll never act again. But I certainly don’t think I can go back to [a film that requires working] six days a week, five in the morning till seven o’clock at night.”
According to the NHS website, symptoms of bowel cancer include a change in bowel habits, blood in stools, abdominal pain, and bloating.
Watch our Video of the Day below…
Do you have a story for us? If so, email us at [email protected]. All contact will be treated in confidence.
